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six handwritten letters from the first world war, including a letter from the first world wara bunch of old letters are sitting on top of each otherseveral old french newspapers are stacked on top of each otherseveral books are stacked on top of each other on a white surfacea close up of a book with a red and black coveran old book with a red cover sitting on top of a white surfacean open book on a white table with a yellow coveran open book with a handwritten note on the inside of itan open book with a handwritten title on it
ROUILLAC

134 - Joseph-Henri Rosny the Elder (1856–1940), writer and Preside…
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Estimate €150 - €300
Sale commission
Description
Joseph-Henri Rosny the Elder (1856–1940), writer and President of the Académie Goncourt from 1926 to 1940 A collection of correspondence, press cuttings and 7 publications 17 letters and postcards, 1909–1939, addressed to René Benjamin, including a postcard, Paris, undated (1909/1910) Sir, I spoke very highly of Madame Bonheur to the Travel Grant Committee. But I must confess that no clear trend has yet emerged in your favour. Everything will depend on how events unfold: it is my principle not to ‘squander’ my vote. In any case, please accept my warmest literary regards… P.A.S., Paris, [10 April 1913] Dear colleague, Make no mistake, it reads like a work of popular fiction; your book is delightful, full of wit, finesse, keen observation, life and so captivating! And were it not for the fact that I am so terribly short of time, I would be writing you far more than just a brief note. My wife admired and loved it just as much as I did: she sends you her warmest congratulations and her thanks for the exquisite hours spent reading your work… P.A.S., Paris, 1 June 1917 Dear friend, we send our warmest wishes for this new little French boy [the birth of Jean-Loup]; may he never know the horrors we have experienced... And besides, I’ve been meaning to thank you for your book for some time now; it is a collection of exquisite, vivid, vibrant, witty and humorous moments – in short, a showcase of your admirable talent. Goodness me, are you so preoccupied with death? (Docqrois interview). As for me, for thirty years, that’s all I’ve thought about. Not two minutes of the day go by without me dreaming of it, and it’s a dreadful affliction. Try to cure yourself of it… *La Vague rouge* Paris, Plon-Nourrit & Cie, 1910 Paperback, 19 x 12 cm Signed autograph copy The War of Fire Paris, Eugène Fasquelle, 1911 First edition Paperback, 19 x 12 cm Signed autograph copy The Death of the Earth Paris, Plon-Nourrit & Cie, 1912 First edition Paperback, 19 x 12 cm Signed autograph copy Nell Horn of the Salvation Army Paris, Ernest Flammarion, n.d. Untrimmed Paperback, 19 x 12 cm Signed autograph dedication Other Lives Paris, Les Editions G. Grès et Cie, 1924 First edition on Rives paper, no. 583 Paperback, 19.5 x 13.5 cm Etc... FIND THE FULL AND DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THIS LOT IN OUR ONLINE AUCTION CATALOGUE
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About the sale René Benjamin, the 20th-century Balzac scholar
Auction location
Auction time 10/06/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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